Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Space Transformation

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMC), located in Toronto, ON, is one of the top five cancer research facilities in the world. As an internationally recognized cancer facility with a bold vision to place the patient at the center of their care to create a patient-centric experience, the PMC Space Transformation Project had a clear design objective to set a new global standard for healthcare hospitality. To realize the vision, the transformation has created a unique restorative space that imparts compassion and optimism from the very first encounter by a cancer patient. The design is fluid and organic, reflecting the continuous care and support provided to patients and their families as they move through the various stages of their cancer journey.

As the Prime Consultant, NORR provided full design services with the development of construction documents and construction administration service, together with Hariri Pontarini Architects, as the Design Architects. By placing patients and users at the core of the design process, NORR initiated workshops with user groups and stakeholders to inform the re-envisioning of programmatic planning and design. The team worked to deinstitutionalize the hospital environment by creating a sense of warmth and comfort within the multiple clinical areas, providing quiet spaces for rest and reflection in an environment framed by nature and sculptural lighting, encompassing a sense of wellness.

NORR’s collaboration process with the project team was vital to managing a multi-year, multi-phased project, identifying schedule and critical design elements that could be advanced through the development of phased works, while the hospital continued to provide patient care and treatments. The result is an innovative complex with significant physical and functional improvements that consolidate multiple programs into a single building. PMC has heightened its stature as a world leader in cancer research, attracting world-class physicians and researchers to advance the treatment of cancer, and provides expanded clinical programs in a patient-centric environment.

PMC was recognized with a Design Award for Adaptation and Transformation at the European Healthcare Design Conference in London, UK.

Photo Credit: doublespace photography ©